Self-help, coaching, and therapy are three distinct approaches to personal development and mental health support, each with its own characteristics in terms of how advice is given and how tailored the approach is to the individual. Self-help typically offers highly structured and generalized advice. It often comes in the form of books, courses, or programs that provide step-by-step guidance on various life issues. While widely accessible, self-help methods usually aren't customized to individual circumstances, instead offering broad strategies meant to apply to many people. Coaching occupies a middle ground. Coaches work more closely with individuals, offering a blend of structure and personalization. They may have specific methodologies or frameworks, but they adjust their approach based on the client's needs and goals. Coaching can vary widely in how directive or client-led it is, depending on the coach's style and the client's preferences. Therapy, in contrast, is typically highly personalized and less prescriptive. Therapists work closely with individuals to understand their unique experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Therapy focuses on making you a functional being. While therapists may use various techniques or theoretical frameworks, the approach is usually tailored specifically to the individual. Therapy tends to be more exploratory and less directive than coaching or self-help, focusing on helping the client gain insights and develop their own solutions. Heal to the point where you are in the action state of therapy and can autonomously pursue your goals. If you say you want to run a marathon they're trained to say how would you go about doing that. Most often sought out to focus on past/present pain and reach a point of stability These approaches exist on a spectrum, with some overlap between them. The choice between self-help, coaching, or therapy often depends on the individual's needs, the specific issues they're addressing, and their preferred level of guidance versus self-direction in their personal growth journey. ![[self-help-coaching-therapy-continuum-white-bg.svg]]